Clarification: The Division of Mental Health (DMH) made an error within the slides shown during the Technical Assistance Session. The first sentence of the Program Description should read "The Grantee will provide training to agencies throughout Illinois who are implementing evidence-based Individual Placement and Supported Employment (IPS-SE) to assist persons with serious mental illness obtain mainstream competitive employment."
Additional Clarification: It was stated during the Technical Assistance Session that applicants could provide services in a smaller region than Statewide. The goal of this program is to provide training Statewide.
- Q: What is the time commitment for this grant?
A: The initial award is for 1 year with a potential for 2 one-year renewals. After the third year, this program would again be competitively bid (NOFO).
- Q: Is there a training period on how to perform the job duties and collect data?
A: Yes. There will be training for the trainers based on the IPS Fidelity Model provided by IDHS/DMH.
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Q: Will the IDHS trainers be working primarily with the awarded agency, or will they be working with other agencies?
A: IDHS will be working primarily with the awarded agency to train the IPS trainers, after which the IPS trainers will be providing technical assistance for all agencies doing IPS or interested in doing IPS throughout the State of Illinois.
- Q: Is the IPS trainer hired by the awarded organization supposed to be connected to the agency or outside of the agency awarded the grant?
A: The IPS trainer could be someone promoted internally, or your organization could decide to interview both internal and external applicants. Applicants should describe within their Program Narrative how they intend to fill this position(s).
- Q: Is it intended for the IPS trainer to continue their regular job duties while also being an IPS trainer, or is it intended the IPS trainer is an independant full time position?
A: The IPS trainer is intended to be a full time position. Their primary duties would be preparing for and performing trainings on IPS, participating in the fidelity reviews and working with IDHS data analysts.
- Q: Will we be able to employ the current IPS trainers?
A: Yes
- Q: How will the awarding agency's fidelity review be affected by also employing the reviewers?
A: The IPS Fidelity Review Process will be the same for all organizations. IPS trainers will use the IPS Fidelity Scale when performing fidelity reviews, and this process should not be affected by whether the awarded agency employs the reviewer. Awarded agencies will not receive favorable or preferential treatment because they employ the IPS trainer/reviewer.
- Q: What does travel look like for the IPS trainer position?
A: Travel and related travel costs should be budgeted to conduct IPS trainings throughout the State of Illinois, including attending the IPS International Conference.
- Q: Would the IPS trainer be in-person 5 days at the awarded agency or will there be remote work?
A: Current IPS trainers are all working remotely, but this would ultimately be up to your organization to decide how to schedule their work and time. Your organization should describe your program design plan in the Program Narrative.
- Q: Once the grant has ended will the agency be expected to cover the cost of IPS trainers travel?
A: This grant is designed to cover the costs of the IPS trainers travel. The grant is awarded for a 1 year term, with up to 2 additional renewal years, at which point the grant will be competitively bid again. If your organization is not awarded when the grant is competitively bid again, then the new awarded agency would assume the costs of IPS trainer travel after your award period has ended.
- Q: Is this grant reserved for salary and travel or can the agency allocate funds differently?
A: All costs proposed in the budget must support the applicant's proposed program and be allocable, allowable, reasonable and necessary. Costs such as equipment, supplies and training would be allowed as long as they meet the aforementioned criteria.
